What are the lyrics of Dido and Aeneas, Z 626 by Henry Purcell?

“Dido and Aeneas, Z 626” begins: Overture… Read the full lyrics on ChoirPDFs.

Who composed Dido and Aeneas, Z 626?

Dido and Aeneas, Z 626 was composed by Henry Purcell.

What language is Dido and Aeneas, Z 626 sung in?

Dido and Aeneas, Z 626 is sung in English.

Dido and Aeneas, Z 626 by Henry Purcell — Lyrics & Sheet Music (PDF)

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SATB

Edition by Calebe Barros

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Added Jul 29, 2026

45 editions of this piece

Different typesettings and voicings of the same work. This page shows the main edition; the others are below.

SATB · John Henry Fowler Preview

SATB · Andrew Sims Preview

SATB · Shaun Pirttijarvi Preview

Composer: Henry Purcell

Format: Staff

Language: English

Pages: 78 pages

This edition was prepared by Calebe Barros — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.

Dido and Aeneas, Z 626 by Henry Purcell — Lyrics

Overture 1. OVERTURE Prologue 2. PROLOGUE (MUSIC LOST) PHOEB. From Aurora's Spicy Bed, Phoebus rears his Sacred Head. His Coursers Advancing, Curvetting and Prancing. 1st NEREID. Phoebus strives in vain to Tame'em, With Ambrosia Fed too high. 2d NER. Phoebus ought not now to blame'em, Wild and eager to Survey The fairest Pageant of the Sea. PHOEB. Tritons and Nereids come pay your Devotion CHO. To the New rising Star of the Ocean. Venus Descends in her Chariot, The Tritons out of the Sea. The Tritons Dance NEREID

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About Dido and Aeneas, Z 626

Purcell's Dido and Aeneas is a landmark of English opera. Though its dramatic core is the tragic love affair of its titular characters, this excerpt comes from the opera's prologue. Here, Phoebus, the god of the sun, heralds the arrival of Venus, Queen of Love, to the shores of Carthage. The music depicts the celestial and marine deities preparing to witness a grand spectacle. The SATB choir enters to hail Venus as a new star, a divinity whose radiance outshines the very heavens. This is a dramatic and celebratory moment, originally intended to set the stage for the ensuing action, and now a powerful standalone choral offering.